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Felicitation of an internationally reputed Buddhist Scholar

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Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

By Ven. Siri Vajiraramaye Ñānasīha

On February 2nd 2025, many academics, researchers and well-wishers of all faiths will be gathering at the Jasmine Committee Room of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall to felicitate a renowned, internationally reputed Buddhist scholar of recent times. He is Emeritus Professor Asanga Tilakaratne, in the lineage of eminent scholars of recent times commencing with late Professors G.P. Malalasekera, O.H. de A. Wijesekera, K.N. Jayatilake, Jotiya Dhirasekera (later Venerable Prof. Dhammavihari) followed by Professor Y. Karunadasa, Professor David J. Kalupahana, Professor P.D. Premasiri to name only a few. I am privileged to have associated with all of them during my university days at Peradeniya in late 1950s and later.

It was late Professor Jotiya Dhirasekera, serving then as the Chief Editor of the Buddhist Encyclopedia, who introduced a very bright spark who had joined the editorial staff as his Research Assistant. That was young Asanga Tilakaratne, soft spoken, much loved with a sharp mind bent on research. His later academic achievements, surpassing those of his own teachers, were more than adequate to justify the remarks made. To his credit are articles on Kamma, Kathāvatthu, Logic, Mysticism, Nihilism, Pragmatism and Sacca appearing in the monumental Buddhist Encyclopedia of which the first Chief Editor was late Professor G.P. Malalsekera. Since 2021, he holds the post of Chief Editor of the Buddhist Encyclopedia.

Emeritus Professor Asanga Tilakaratne comes from the deep South. Born in 1952, he had his secondary education at the H/Debarawewa Central College, close to his parental home in Tissamaharamaya. He received monastic education at Mallikaramaya, Ratmalana, and at Siri Vajirañāṇa Dharmayatanaya, Maharagama, ending with the Prācīna Pandit degree. For further studies, he entered the Buddha Sravaka Dharma Pīṭhaya, Anuradhapura (known today as Sri Lanka Bhikkhu University) as a first batch student. He completed his four-year Tripiṭakavedī course of studies with a First Class. Soon after, he entered the University of Peradeniya and on completing his studies there, he received the East-West Center Graduate Fellowship from the University of Hawai, where he studied Western Philosophy. The thesis for his doctoral degree in comparable philosophy is now printed with title, ‘Nirvana and Ineffability: A Study of the Buddhist Theory of Reality and Language’. That was in 1992 when he was 40 years of age, the beginning of the paññā dasaka, the wise decade, according to the Visuddhimagga classification of life of a person in decades.

In Professor Asanga’s voyage of academic life, he himself being very learned (bahussuto), it was the beginning of a career with the learned. In 2000, he was at the Oxford University as a Commonwealth Fellow and a visiting scholar at Wolfson College. In 2012 he received the Research Excellence Award in Arts and Humanities Division of the University of Colombo, and two years later the Council of Vice-Chancellors and Directors Sri Lanka (CVCD), awarded Professor Tilakaratne the Excellence Award as most outstanding Senior Researcher in the Field of Humanities, Aesthetics and Social Sciences.

In the academic world he will always be remembered for his achievement in getting the Buddhist Studies Unit of the University of Colombo developed to a full-fledged department of the University. With the shifting of the University of Ceylon, which was the only university in Sri Lanka then, to Peradeniya in 1952, and the beginning of the university obsession in the 1960s with universities mushrooming to 17, the newly established University of Colombo lost the Department of Pali to the University of Kelaniya. A seed was planted by Professor Y. Karunadasa, when he spent his sabbatical at the University of Colombo by starting a Buddhist Studies Unit. To the credit of Professor Asanga Tilakaratne it has developed to the current high standard academically. He was the Senior Chair Professor of that department at the time he retired from university service in 2018.

He is recognised world-wide as a Buddhist scholar of repute and has been Visiting Professor of many foreign Universities. During the academic year 2007-2008, he was Visiting Professor, Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, Korea; and in 2015, he was Visiting Professor at the Department of Theology and Religion, University of Otago, New Zealand. In 2017, he was the Khyentse Visiting Professor at Department of Pali, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra, India. More recently, during 2018/2019 he was at Sitagu International Buddhist Academy, Sagaing and in 2020 at Nalanda University, Rajgir, India.

Nearly 200 papers have been presented by him at seminars and conferences worldwide. These include keynote addresses, position papers, memorial lectures and orations, inter-religious dialogues etc. mainly at Universities and Research Institutes in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, Spain, Italy, Norway, Germany, Korea and Indonesia. Very distinctive was his participation as the Invited Buddhist Guest at the International Conference on Religious Dialogue held in October, 2000, in the Vatican City, Rome, to mark the 2000 Millennium.

Thanks to the efforts of some of his colleagues and pupils, much of the writings of Professor Asanga Tilakaratne are available in print. The Editorial Committee has done an excellent job by grouping them under specific disciplines before printing. There are 69 articles published in Sinhala in three volumes of 300 pages each and grouped under Bauddha Darśanaya hā Ācāravidyāva, Bauddha Sāhitya hā Saṅskrutiya, and Bauddha Nūtanatva Adyayanaya. The articles in English are published in five volumes. Volume I relates to Buddhist Philosophy (400 pgs.), Volume II to Buddhist Ethics (343 pgs.), Volume III to Theravāda Studies (204 pgs), Volume IV to Buddhism and Modernity (361 pgs.) and Volume V to Inter-Religious Understanding (171 pgs.). Articles in English printed thus total 103. Both Sinhala and English volumes include references to primary and secondary sources; subject and proper name indexes, thereby increasing their value to future researchers. The Editorial Note has this to say: “Although Professor Tilakaratne had his professional academic training in the Buddhist philosophy of language and philosophy of religion, his wide range of interests and the needs of the Buddhist academic field in the country have made him venture into many aspects of Buddhist studies as this multi-volume collection would testify.”

A true scholar has no retiring age. One may retire from a job on reaching the age specified, but it is not a retirement from one’s academic pursuits. I find that Professor Tilakaratne is engaged in academic work more than when in university service. He has converted his retirement to his advantage. As Visiting Scholar of Infosys (a global leader in next generation digital services and consulting) at Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, he completed a study on the Kathāvatthu, which has been published and will be introduced at the felicitation function. At Pune University he delivered ten lectures on the Milindapaṇha and is being prepared as a book. In 2023, India Sahitya Academy granted him the Ananda Coomaraswamy Fellowship under which he delivered lectures at universities in different parts of India. Most recently he was appointed Dean of Graduate Studies, at Nāgānanda University, Manelwatta, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Professor Tilakeratne is the founder and now chairman of a unique organisation he started in 2003: Damrivi Foundation, Isipatana Mawatha, Colombo 05. I asked him what made him conceptualise such an organisation. His reply: “Two things: one was that many Buddhist organizations do only some types of social work while they duplicate what monks do and are more concerned about positions, not trying to use Buddhist teaching/insights for daily life. The other is that professionals and academics are hesitant to identify with Buddhism.”

Prof. Tilakeratne has succeeded in his endeavours and today Damrivi Foundation is undoubtedly recognised for its work as ‘an effort to create by making use of the teachings of the Buddha, a society of people with inner stability, compassion and wisdom.’ It offers a range of services including Studies in the Dhamma; counselling with Buddhist insight; guided meditation; academic programmes and Buddhist tours in Sri Lanka, India, and elsewhere. It is a not-for-profit organisation that is operated by a Board of Trustees who serve totally voluntarily, assisted by paid staff and volunteers. Its services are available to all irrespective of religious, ethnic or cultural differences. I would say that the vision and mission of Professor Asanga Tilakaratne has become the vision and mission of Damrivi Foundation, a boon to this country.

Emeritus Professor Asanga Tilakaratne, a rare personality with rare qualities, will be felicitated at the BMICH Jasmine Committee Room, on February 2nd. A special event will be the conferring of an honorific title by the Rāmañña Maha Nikāya. He is still young at 72 and has 18 more years to equal my age. May I wish him long life, good health and peace of mind to continue with his good work for the welfare and benefit of all, including himself, and the perpetuation of the Buddhasāsana. He is both a kalyanamitta and a sappurisa in the definition of the Buddha.



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Issues of South likely to be sidelined as East-West polarity widens

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QUAD Foreign Ministers in Washington DC (Photo:X/@DrSJaishankar)

The meeting with some urgency of QUAD Foreign Ministers in Washington, close on the heels of Donald Trump being sworn in as US President, points to a widening of the East-West polarity in the days ahead. Among other things, the Foreign Ministers committed to ‘strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld and defended.’ This amounts to a virtual drawing-up of future battle lines in East-West antagonisms in vital areas of the South.

Of the deepest concern for the QUAD is the Indo-pacific region in consideration of the fact that it remains the economic power house of the world. Accordingly, it is here that East-West tensions would likely be at their most intense going forward. For both camps the Indo-Pacific is a special sphere of influence which would come to be jealously guarded. Keeping probably China in mind the QUAD grouping went on to declare that it would ‘strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.’

At the time almost of the QUAD meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was on record as having pledged to the Philippines, a prominent ally of the US in Southeast Asia, an ‘ironclad’ commitment to defend its security. He had also referred to China’s ‘dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea.’ It would be relevant to recollect that the US and the Philippines are bound to uphold each other’s security in the region on the basis of a Mutual Defense Treaty dating back to 1951.

It is also of relevance to factor in that over the decades China has had a history of strained relations with a number of Southeast Asian countries over territories in the South and East China seas that have been seen as possessing vital strategic resources. One such piece of territory are the Spratly Islands which are claimed by scores of states including the Philippines.

Thus, during President Donald Trump’s second tenure Southeast Asia will likely figure prominently once again as a flashpoint region in the East-West standoff. And this stand-off could aggravate given the Trump administration’s abrasive style in its handling of foreign relations in particular.

The Trump administration’s tendency to prefer a policy of relative international isolation and its no-holds-barred approach to pursuing its self- interests could render what are seen as flashpoint regions in the East-West confrontation some of ‘the most dangerous places to live in.’

Likewise the Taiwan peninsula. Here too the US has made it clear that it intends to leave its footprint as it were in consideration of the US’ decades-long policy of defending Taiwan’s independence. But given China’s hardline on the Taiwan question and its stepped-up naval presence in the region, the Taiwan Sea would come to be characterized by stepped-up big power rivalry. Southeast Asia’s economic vibrancy would lend to Taiwan the importance of a sphere where China and the US would be seeking to consolidate their influence.

While it is clear that the US would be seeking to strengthen its security and military ties in particular with its strongest allies from both hemispheres, and the stepped-up diplomatic activity centering on QUAD is one evidence of this, the indications are that the South would suffer some neglect as it were at the hands of the US.

For example, there is a reported halt by the Trump administration to ‘all existing foreign assistance’ and a ‘pausing’ of new aid. Apparently, these restrictions are applicable to everything from development assistance to military aid. It ought to be clear that the least developed countries of the South would be the most affected by these measures.

Ideally, countries, whether they be of the North or South, should not be dependent on the US for whatever assistance, considering the ‘price’ such dependence carries, but given that ideal conditions are far from reachable for most states of the South in particular, US assistance could not be easily done away with. For those conflict-ridden, impoverished countries in particular such assistance is ‘a matter of life and death’.

Accordingly, the worst-off countries of the South, from an economic stand point, could face the harshest of times from now on from President Trump’s diktats. Given Sri Lanka’s bankrupt status, it too should see itself as being among these unfortunates. Any tilting by the latter towards the US’ adversaries in global politics could bring for them stepped-up adversity. Therefore, Sri Lanka, like many other poverty-hit states, would be compelled to walk a tight rope in foreign policy thinking and implementation.

However, these drastic measures in the area of overseas assistance should be seen as evidence that the US is currently drifting in the direction of a policy of relative international isolation. The US seems to be indicating that from now on it would be virtually ‘washing its hands of’ the worst off of Southern countries in particular. The latter would be more or less left to their own devices.

The question needs to be answered by US political leaders and policy planners as to whether they would be serving the US’ long term interests through the adoption of a policy of international isolation. That is, from the viewpoint of a super power is such a course advisable?

The more reflective sections could be inclined to the view that such a policy direction would be self-defeating for a super power, considering that a policy of isolation facilitates a loss of influence globally for the power concerned. This situation would clear the decks, so to speak, for big powers which are not democracy-friendly to fill the power vacuum created by the vacating super power and there is no alternative to the democratic way of governance to date.

However, the factual situation is that the worst off of the global South cannot be left to their devices by those major states that profess and practise democracy. Be it the Middle East or the chronically conflict-ridden states of Asia and Africa, humanitarian crises of the most disquieting kind are currently unfolding. Tens of thousands of people are being killed or rendered homeless in not only the Gaza but also in Congo and Sudan, to name just two countries torn apart by internal lawlessness and civil wars in Africa.

Such chronically weakened states need a measure of material and financial succor to remain in one piece and get back on their feet. Equally importantly, they need to be aided to tread the democratic path. The UN is doing its best on this score but it needs to be helped in this major undertaking by all the democratic states that matter.

A policy of international isolation was found to be self-defeating for the US in the early decades of the 20th century. Such a policy led to major fascist and repressive states coming to the pinnacle of power globally. Right now, the Trump administration seems to be risking taking the world in the same direction.

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Butterfly migration fading away

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By Ifham Nizam 

Sri Lanka has long been a land of unparalleled natural beauty, blessed with a rich biodiversity that has inspired poets, scientists, and conservationists alike.

Among its many wonders, one phenomenon stood out for its delicate charm and ecological significance: the annual butterfly migration.

For centuries, this breathtaking event marked the pilgrimage season to Sri Pada as thousands of white and yellow butterflies gracefully traversed the central highlands.

However, what was once a symbol of natural harmony has now become a fading memory.

Environmental researcher Rajika Gamage has spent years studying this migration, and his findings reveal a troubling picture. The decline of this spectacular event signals an urgent crisis—a warning about the state of Sri Lanka’s ecosystems and, ultimately, humanity’s role in their degradation.

Butterfly Migration:

An Ecological Masterpiece

The butterfly migration was more than a cultural marvel; it was a vital ecological process. From December to May, butterflies from the Pieridae family migrated between Sri Lanka’s northern and southern dry zones. While locals believed the butterflies were heading to worship at Sri Pada, science has since revealed the migration’s true purpose: a search for food, suitable host plants for larvae, and favourable environmental conditions.

Gamage describes the migration as a “bridge of life,” connecting regions and maintaining ecological balance. Butterflies are not just pretty creatures; they are keystone species, critical to the survival of ecosystems. Their migration played an essential role in pollinating plants, sustaining food webs, and ensuring biodiversity.

Role of Host Plants

A key driver of butterfly migration is the availability of host plants, which are crucial for laying eggs and nurturing larvae. Each butterfly species depends on specific host plants. For instance, butterflies in the Pieridae family rely on plants from the Capparaceae family, such as wild mustard.

“The relationship between butterflies and their host plants is symbiotic and delicate,” explains Gamage. “Without these plants, butterflies cannot reproduce, and their populations decline. The seasonal rains, often referred to locally as ‘Beli Thora Wessa,’ once supported the growth of these plants. Today, invasive species and habitat destruction have drastically reduced their availability.”

Invasion of Guinea Grass

Among the most significant threats to butterfly populations is Panicum maximum, commonly known as Guinea Grass. Initially introduced as livestock fodder, this invasive species has spread aggressively across Sri Lanka’s landscapes, outcompeting native vegetation.

“Guinea Grass is a silent killer,” warns Gamage. “It blankets vast areas, suffocating the native host plants and nectar sources that butterflies and other pollinators depend on. Its rapid spread is not just a threat to butterflies but to the entire ecosystem.”

The dominance of Guinea Grass has had a cascading effect on biodiversity. Native plants that supported not only butterflies but also other insects, birds, and small mammals, have been displaced. This disruption in the food chain threatens the survival of multiple species, highlighting the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

Cascading Effects on Ecosystems

The decline of butterfly populations is not an isolated event; it has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems. Butterflies are crucial pollinators, and their larvae are a vital food source for birds, reptiles, and other predators.

“When butterflies disappear, it’s not just about losing a species—it’s about losing the balance of the entire ecosystem,” Gamage notes. Pollination by butterflies and bees directly influences the productivity of fruit trees and crops. As pollinator populations decline, so do agricultural yields, affecting food security.

This ecological imbalance extends to soil health and water cycles, further compounding the challenges of climate change. The disappearance of butterflies is a stark reminder that even small changes in ecosystems can have significant, long-term impacts.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The butterfly migration is not just an ecological event; it is deeply rooted in Sri Lanka’s culture and traditions. For centuries, people believed the butterflies were on a sacred journey to Sri Pada. This belief reinforced a spiritual connection to nature, inspiring reverence and conservation.

However, modern society has drifted away from these values. Rapid urbanization, industrial agriculture, and deforestation have eroded the natural habitats that once supported such migrations. The cultural loss is as profound as the ecological one, severing the bond between people and nature.

Signs of a Larger Crisis

The disappearance of butterfly migrations is symptomatic of a larger environmental crisis. Sri Lanka is witnessing a decline in biodiversity, with many native species of plants and animals under threat. The unchecked spread of invasive species, deforestation, and pollution are all contributing factors.

Gamage emphasizes, “The butterfly migration is a red flag—a warning about the state of our environment. If we continue down this path, we risk triggering a cascade of ecological collapses that will affect everything, from agriculture to water resources.”

Call for Urgent Action

Addressing this crisis requires immediate and sustained action. Gamage outlines several steps that can help reverse the decline of butterfly populations and restore ecological balance:

Control Invasive Species:

 Implement targeted programmes to remove Guinea Grass and other invasive plants. This will create space for native vegetation to thrive.

Restore Native Habitats: 

Reintroduce native host plants and nectar sources to areas affected by invasive species. This can be achieved through community-based reforestation projects.

Raise Awareness:

Educate the public about the importance of biodiversity and the role of butterflies in ecosystems. Community involvement is key to long-term conservation.

Enforce Environmental Policies:

Strengthen laws and regulations to protect natural habitats from deforestation and development.

Promote Sustainable Practices:

Encourage sustainable agriculture and land use practices that prioritize biodiversity.

Shared Responsibility

The responsibility for protecting Sri Lanka’s natural heritage lies with everyone—governments, communities, and individuals. Gamage points out, “Take a moment to reflect on the plants your grandparents relied on. Many of these, such as Gotukola, Polpala,

and Mukunuwenna, were readily available in home gardens. Today, they are becoming scarce. This is a clear indication of how far we have strayed from living in harmony with nature.”

He adds, “The solutions are within our reach, but they require a shift in mindset. We must value nature not just for its beauty but for its role in sustaining life.”

The Butterfly Effect

The decline of butterfly migrations is a sobering reminder of the fragility of ecosystems. It underscores the need for immediate action to preserve biodiversity and restore balance to our environment.

As Gamage aptly concludes, “We are at the brink of the sixth mass extinction. The disappearance of butterflies is not just nature’s tragedy—it’s humanity’s failure. But it’s not too late. By acting now, we can ensure a future where butterflies once again grace our skies, symbolizing hope and harmony.”

The silent vanishing of Sri Lanka’s butterfly migration is more than a loss of beauty; it is a call to action. It challenges us to rethink our relationship with nature and take responsibility for its preservation. In saving the butterflies, we may yet save ourselves.

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Raffealla’s Celebrity Calendar…uniting artists from around the world

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Raffealla Fernando is, indeed, a celebrity, and her annual Celebrity Calendar speaks volumes of her talents, especially of her ability to create and captivate the world with her photography, as a fashion designer, stylist, and creative director.

Every year she brings her magic touch into the spotlight by way of her Celebrity Calendar and this year was no exception.

The 2025 edition was launched on a grand scale at the Ramada, in Colombo, and the invitees included several well-known personalities, and Raffealla was highly complimented by all those present on a job well done.

They were all heard to say “Wow! Incredible!”

Raffealla has been doing this scene for the past 13 years, bringing into the spotlight over 170 celebrities and creating a unique and expansive artistic portfolio.

No doubt, the 2025 edition certainly marks Raffealla’s continued mission of presenting high-calibre glamorous photography that rivals international celebrity portfolios.

This calendar is a purely artistic venture, says Raffealla, adding that it’s not for commercial purposes.

It is not sold, nor sponsored, but, instead, focuses on creating a collection of stunning celebrity portraits.

Starting in 2018, the calendar expanded its horizons beyond Sri Lanka, collaborating with global celebrities from South Korea, Bollywood, South India, and even British and French artists.

“The overarching goal is to unite artists from around the world through a shared expression of creativity, transcending cultural boundaries, with the universal language of art,” says Raffealla, and she has certainly achieved it with her Celebrity Calendar.

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